3L gearcase?

[NoviceDave69]

I'm in the process of shopping for a 3L Mercury and I've heard some concerns about the 3L gearcases. What should I be looking out for with the 3L cases? Is there a model (sportmaster, torquemaster, etc.) that I should avoid? Any help would be appreciated.
Thx,
Dave

[Nikon Man]

Dave,

S/Master Info:

Only thing I can share with you is that the early years 2000'ish had some issues on casting shift, meaning the there are areas that are thinner than there supposed to be. I've got an early 2000'ish S/Master case that had thru holes/cracks in it just from normal wear and tear. These were all welded up of course, but the fact remains as I was shopping for another one, I had found similar S/Masters with thin wall thickness. Best place to find this is up inside the Anode cavity and look at the "Bearing Housing", the round part of the case aft end, look for one side being thinner than the other. Now I'm not saying there all that way, you just have to inspect them very, very carefully. Just last night I found another pin hole in mine at the Anode cavity, won't do any harm there but just ticks me off that I'll have to weld it again thois winter. Still shopping for a better case too. Good luck

[EuropeanAM]

Dave:

When chosing a gearcase, there are SPECIFIC criteria that we must know and meet.

-Engine Serial Number
-Current Gearcase Type:
-Current Maximum Boat Speed

The APPROPRIATE gearcase is critical to proper and safe operation of your vessel.

[NoviceDave69]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think a sportmaster will fit my needs best. I have an older stroker bassboat and I want to put a 225 or 250 3L Mercury on it. I do not have a SN because I'm still saving and shopping for the engine. I'm looking for an engine/gearcase combo that will provide me with 80s to 90 MPH speeds with a fishing load. I'm more concerned with acceleration with a load than all out topend. So any suggestions on the best case for my application would be appreciated.
Thx,
Dave

[EuropeanAM]

Dave- you've got an IM.